The Ringer Review
Posted by Chad Webb on 01.06.2006
Johnny Knoxville goes for the gold…in some form.
Steve Barker: Johnny Knoxville
Gary: Brian Cox
Lynn: Katherine Heigl
David Patrick: Zen Gesner
Stavi: Luis Avalos
Jimmy: Leonard Flowers
Dr. Ahmed: Mohammad Ahmed
Thomas: Bill Chott
Billy: Edward Barbanell
Sarah: Camille Chen
Directed by Barry W. Blaustein
Release Date: December 23, 2005
Running Time: 94 minutes
Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language and some drug references
Reviewed by Chad Webb
I know what you're all thinking. It's probably the same thing I was thinking when I saw the trailer for this film. When taken at first glance, The Ringer looks absolutely horrible with a pathetic plot. It encompasses many ingredients that turn most people away. A movie concerning two people who fix the Special Olympics doesn't exactly cause the public to run towards the theater. However, The Ringer accomplishes manifold surprises once one decides to sit through it with an open mind. This film has a fair share of shortcomings when it's all set and done, but Director Barry W. Blaustein and the Farrelly brothers have molded this unwieldy and distasteful storyline into a chance worth taking.
When Steve Barker (Johnny Knoxville) heads into his boss' office and requests more responsibility, he is told to fire the janitor named Stavi (Luis Avalos). The problem is that he feels sorry for Stavi, because he has a big family to support after the death of his wife. To be a nice guy, Steve gives Stavi a job mowing his lawn. One day Stavi is tinkering with the lawn mower when he accidentally gets some fingers chopped off. Since Stavi has no health benefits, neither he nor Steve can get the money to pay for his surgery. In the meantime, Steve's Uncle Gary (Brian Cox) has some money troubles of is own, and he has the idea to fix the Special Olympics with Steve posing as a mentally challenged athlete. All Steve has to do is beat the star athlete Jimmy (Leonard Flowers) in the pentathlon events. Reluctantly he agrees to the idea, and he immediately falls in love with a supervisor for the Olympics named Lynn Sheridan (Katherine Heigl). As the games roll on, Steve must find a way to get the girl and beat Jimmy so Stavi can get his fingers back.
The Ringer has numerous dabs of amusement here and there, but one of the funniest parts is that Steve changes his name to Jeffy Dahmor. There is no doubt that Johnny Knoxville acting is sub-par, but he has his flashes of talent. His delivery is poor and it feels as if the sequences he is part of are forced. Having said that, Knoxville has shown me his commendable ability of using humorous facial expressions at precisely the right time. At least, those were the scenes in which he made me chuckle the most. His depiction is amiable and reliable, with more charm that he has ever exhibited before. It would be foolish to expect a dramatic role for Knoxville anytime soon, because he has to rely on over the top and offensive comedies to draw a crowd and showcase what talent he possesses. After viewing this, I can honestly say that is not always a bad thing.
If one is ready for a blast from the past, the audience might remember Katherine Heigl from My Father the Hero back in 1994, but these days she can be seen in the television show Grey's Anatomy. Her portrayal as a supervisor for the Special Olympic athletes is pretty standard. For the most part, she is just pretty to look at. The rest of the cast is comprised of actors playing mentally challenged athletes, and actual athletes themselves. Regardless, that part of the supporting cast provides 95% of the comical moments. A couple of truly memorable lines occur from these athletes as they grow a friendship with Steve during his charade. Fortunately, the mentally challenged are represented with reverence and consideration from the filmmakers. The laughter they present is performed with delicacy, and delightful respect as all the characters relationships develop throughout the film.
What prevents the film from turning more heads as a under rated parody is the constant gratuitous scenes in which the comedy is impractical, instead of genuine and tender like other portions of movie focus on. For instance, in one particular scene Steve visits a priest to confess his actions in the Special Olympics. The priest proceeds to beat the living crap out him and punch through the confessional window. Apparently someone involved with the crew had the idea that seeing Johnny Knoxville being tripped, falling down, and being beat up was extremely funny. Well, it's not. Viewers should not have many problems letting the acting slide, but the predictability of the plot does mar the tale. As evident as the ending is, moviegoers will actually root for Steve/Jeffy as the story unravels.
The Ringer might be directed by Barry W. Blaustein, who directed the shocking pro wrestling documentary entitled Beyond the Mat, but this has the Farrelly brothers signature written all over it. The Farrelly brothers have a long-standing reputation of inserting the mentally handicapped and/or physically disabled in their films, from mentally challenged Warren of There's Something About Mary to the conjoined twins of Stuck on You. On a side note, it is funny to see those same few minor actors that the Farrelly brothers always use in their films. They might only be executive producers, but the Farrelly brothers have splattered their sensitive touch all over the film. Family Guy writer Ricky Blitt is responsible for the rather conventional script, and when combined with the direction of Barry Blaustein, the result is a movie that keeps a safe distance from transpiring as insulting or objectionable. If the actual Special Olympics has given their approval of The Ringer, then so can most people.
The Ringer could have been a monumental flop further tarnishing the career of the Jackass star, but as a whole it is kind of cute. Any appeal it maintains comes from the natural, yet caring method of interacting the fraudulent Steve with the mentally challenged individuals, who are quite remarkable athletes in reality. The Farrelly brothers are a uniquely wonderful team because they venture to topics that most filmmakers don't touch with a ten-foot pole, but they do it with style. With some proper alterations to Johnny Knoxville's character, and a more convincing use of clichés, The Ringer could have been much more than just a questionable rental at the video store.
The 411: Many of Knoxville’s loyal fans from MTV will see this no matter what, but it marginally deserves a bigger audience. It will make you giggle, smile, and maybe cringe, but in the end it does offer a good time. It’s at least worth checking out to rent when it comes to DVD.
